Publisher's Summary

It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And, like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who died with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that the riddles are based in the culture of the late 20th century. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle. Suddenly he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions - and that will leave both Wade and his world profoundly changed.

Narrator Wil Wheaton is an American actor and writer best known for his role as Wesley Crusher in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and for playing Gordie Lachance in the film Stand By Me. More recently, he has appeared in several episodes of the TV series The Big Bang Theory as himself.

Before I chose to get this book, I was concerned that I would not get many of the 80s references that so many reviewers before me said were in this book. However, not only did this book guide me through many of the references but I now have this overwhelming desire to reread this book and begin to make notes on all the movies, games and pop culture that I missed! What a fantastic story! I was engaged from the very first chapter to the very last sentence! Who wouldn't jump at the chance to own your own X-wing! My first experience listening to Will Wheaton but his performance was spectacular. Like "1984", it is possible we will be looking back on this book, having predicted numerous paths in our future. This book is a must own. Period.

I thought the story was a bit weak at first but then couldn't stop listening. There are some big plot holes and it can be silly, but the story keeps rolling along well. Wil Wheaton was the perfect pic for narrator.

Super geeks may enjoy this, but the over the top, niche references to pop culture permeated and distracted from the story. The story was predictable, no surprises and the characters were mostly cliches. Fine, not great.

This was an incredible book, with both the writing and performance being top-class. I have never read a book much like this, yet I was deeply thrown into the story and really felt for the characters and the world around them.

I would recommend this book to those of you have ever had any interest in computing, retro gaming and retro film. It really is a 80s pop-culture book with an incredible setting and back story.

To be honest, I was upset when the book ended. The only question that came to my mind was: Where is the sequel?!

Hopefully one might be made soon... I know Ernest Cline hasn't ruled it out yet!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

James

2/05/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Recommended from The Martian - didn't disappoint"

I don't think I would have chosen this book had it not been a recommendation from someone after I had read Andy Weir's 'The Martian'. While the setting is very different the heart of the story is similar with the main character struggling to solve problems. Wil Wheaton gave a fantastic performance and while at the start I associated his voice as his own I quickly became to hear it as the characters'.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

John Steinberg

22/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wow never thought I would enjoy this type of book"

I loved it all. Wil Wheaton is great. The story was fantastic. Maybe a little long but great

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Marcus

9/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"one of my favorite stories ever."

I have listened to it several times. it involves all the components of a good story.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mohammed

6/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Only for gamers and nerds."

Not a book for anyone but gamers and nerds. The references get a bit much at times, but overall a very enjoyable book.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Olga

20/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Best book ever"

Sometimes it got muddled up but the rest was amazing the tension built up perfectly.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Lance

12/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good book"

I enjoyed the story but there were a few times that I had to skip over the parts where the main character just annoying me too much.

Narration was well suited and consistent

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Hendri

6/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"A fun exploration of a very new technology"

Where does Ready Player One rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was an easy listen and hard to put down. Some of the characters got a bit annoying and the overly energetic performance by the narrator didn't help much. But a fun ride all in all.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Paul

11/09/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"This book is amazing. make it a top priority "

l love this book it is amazing, it is by far one of my favorites, it is so awesome and I love the main character and how he is so smart and genuine, and the amount of 80's paraphernalia in this book is amazing, I was not born in the 80's but I still can't appreciate the amount of details the writer put into it. The narrator is really good also, he makes it very easy to distinguish between the characters by his tone of voice, the only problem I had with him was how deep his voice was for portraying a 18 year old character but I got use to it very quickly, this book is super addictive as soon as I heard the synopsis I had to read it is never got board listening to it and I suggest you listen to it whenever you get the chance.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

David

28/08/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great story but a little too wink wink at times"

The pop culture referrences started to become tiresome but the story was great. Wheaton did a great job reading though and I'm really interested to hear more of his audio books.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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Mark

United Kingdom

9/04/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Ready Reader One"

This is something of a gamer geek novel - so I preface all my views with the caveat that like Neal Stevenson's REAMDE it may appeal to those, like me, of a certain sub-culture. The story-line itself is not so remarkable, civilization in deep decline in the next few decades yada yada. What makes this story interesting is the alternative that the majority of the population turn to in order to escape and a challenge that arises therein. It is fast paced story that never seemed to drag. It has a great 1980's sub-plot if you have fond memories of early games, TV, books, film and computers. I found the characters and their gamer-style issues with RL (real-life) accurate and engaging. I found myself looking forward to the drive to work in the mornings (when I get to listen to my audiobooks) which doesn't often happen to me!The narration by Wil Wheaton (of ST:TNG fame and avid gamer) is excellent, a really good choice and nice kind of twist as you will find out if you choose to listen. All in all I consider this one of my best ever spontaneous buys on Audible after being a member for many years - highly recommended.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Robyn

SWINDON, United Kingdom

21/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Surprisingly enjoyable!"

On paper, I was not supposed to like this book. It's about a teenager who spends his entire life in an online virtual reality world playing a quest (reminds me of my weekly challenge to get my kids off their i-stuff and outside for a bit!) BUT - this story is actually all about paying homage to the 80s, plus a bit of rom-com for good measure!

Absolutely loved it!! Once I started, I couldn't put it down. If you're into your 40's/50's and enjoy a bit of '80s nostalgia, then this one's not to be missed!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Hannah

Herne Bay, United Kingdom

28/07/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Are you ready to begin?"

What made the experience of listening to Ready Player One the most enjoyable?

First and foremost, Wil Wheaton is a first-class narrator - he has absolutely the most perfect voice for audiobooks (not too bassy, not too nasally) and doesn't do too badly with accents either (unlike some other narrators which have caused me to return books!). Secondly, the world of Ready Player One is - as noted in the novel - everything any reader or gamer has ever dreamed of: essentially a 'holodeck' experience. It is the book's exploration of the pros and cons of this system that draws you in - in Star Trek we see people using the holodecks for recreation, essentially living out episodes in an ongoing drama; but as Ready Player One points out....why would you ever leave?

What other book might you compare Ready Player One to, and why?

I have desperately been searching for something else as engaging and exciting as RPO since I finished reading! My recommendations would probably be to read other books which effectively create alternative worlds - perhaps 'The Knife of Never Letting Go' by Patrick Ness, 'Peter and Max' by Bill Willingham and 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth.

What does Wil Wheaton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

As I mention above, Wil is an excellent reader. He has an obvious love for the subject matter and, having been an actor on Star Trek 'The Next Generation' and a teenager in the late 80s and early 90s, has a strong familiarity with many of the pop culture references. Wheaton sounds like he is having an absolute ball with this reading!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

'What would you sacrifice to win the ultimate prize?'

Any additional comments?

Read (.....listen to). This. Book.

21 of 26 people found this review helpful

steven

Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom

11/05/12

Overall

"80's Teenager!"

If you were born around 1960-1975 you will love the nostalgia in this book. A light SciFi romp, easy listening, but with lots to recomend it. Cline researched the history of video games and infact PS's like a true Geek! but managed to carry the storyline along without loosing my interest. Even a reminder of the great Rush LP 2012. Lighten up for a while, give it a go, you'll be glad you did :)

11 of 15 people found this review helpful

Beccameriel

London, United Kingdom

18/12/12

Overall

"Great fun for geeks and children of the 80s"

Wil Wheaton is the perfect narrator for this fun adventure story. I'm not a gamer but enjoyed the cultural references immensely particularly the music. I found the characters believeable and endearing and was even a little moved by a revelation about one of them towards the end. I can really see this as a film and have been mentally casting ever since.

It's a light read but I was completely gripped to the extent of going for long walks so that I could justify binge listening!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Veritas

23/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wheaton: epic, storyconcept: great, author: medium"

The narration was tip-top as expected. The concept was endlessly fun, but the book needed some serious revisions and work. Feels like they published the first draft.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

AK

28/04/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Ready Player Repeat"

I really thought I’d like this. It is a fun ride for the most part, its pace is lightning quick, there are twists and turns. It has interesting things going on, and the premise is excellent.

But probably because of its incredulous pace, it cuts corners, and it does so very often. Narratively I feel it often takes the easy way out, marching forward on a predestined path that effectively kills off any suspense it would have needed to keep me invested in it. In fact, if one needs a good example of the use of deus ex machina in modern fiction, this is an excellent place to find many such examples. Unfortunately it’s used so often it becomes tiring, and indeed sucks the life out of the narrative. What do I care anymore what happens next because I know it will be resolved in such and such a way sooner rather than later? (The infiltration storyline injects a great deal of needed energy into the narrative, but it too resolves too easily to my taste)

But it is funky, alright. Just enough for me to actually try out ”Armada”, regardless of the abundant negative reviews that say that it is the disappointing novel, not this one. I’m about 70% through, and I have to say it is pretty the same old, same old. But something about Cline’s writing moves so relentlessly forward that I’m still going to finish it, no matter what.

Wheaton narrates with ease, and while his voice and accent doesn’t do it for me, sorry to say, it sounds like he’s having fun with the material, and it’s no wonder many applaud his performance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Justin Coyne

5/10/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"total nerd fest"

You have to be a geek to like this one! Narration is excellent! This isn't anything new, but is very nicely put together.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

ruuman

UK, Surrey

17/05/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"was ok, if a bit predictable"

the performance is solid, but the whole story was predictable and just felt like it was pandering to modern geek culture rather than concentrating on the story. but was fairly enjoyable.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

BadgerHead

12/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Second Life: Fanboy edition"

Would you try another book written by Ernest Cline or narrated by Wil Wheaton?

I'd have to be thoroughly convinced that it was better than this one.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Deus ex machina. Nothing unexpected. No subtlety; just unabashed everyone-gets-everything-they-want. In other words there was no real feeling of threat or risk.

What three words best describe Wil Wheaton’s performance?

Very mildly annoying.

Could you see Ready Player One being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

I wouldn't want to this see this made into a movie. Hollywood generally struggles to make people sitting in rooms logged into the internet look exciting or thrilling.

Any additional comments?

It was a solid story, I listened to the whole thing, and it was a semi interesting premise. That said there is nothing original in this story - it was the answer to the question of "what would happen if the matrix met Second Life?" - and played out a bit like a fanboy's wet dream. Lonely gamer finds justification for being a lonely gamer.

6 of 11 people found this review helpful

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